MCCS Job Opening Information
Position/GradeEDUCATION & CAREER SPECIALIST (LEAD)/NF4 LocationMARFORRES (NEW ORLEANS, LA)Type of AppointmentREGULAR FULL TIMEOpen Date25 JUNE 2026Close Date03 JULY 2026Who May ApplyALL SOURCESSalary$50,453-$54,000Hours of OperationMONDAY-FRIDAY (0730-1600)[ ] Health Card Required[X] Background Check Required[ ] Gun Control[ ] Drug Testing Position (DTP)[X] Valid Drivers License Required
Job Summary
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is looking for the best and brightest to join our Team! MCCS is a comprehensive program that supports and enhances the quality of life for Marines, their families, and others in the Marine Corps Community. We offer a team oriented environment comprised of military personnel, civilian employees, contractors and volunteers who keep the organization functioning smoothly and effectively. As a service-oriented organization, we never waver in our commitment to our Corps.
This position is located at MARINE FORCES RESERVE (MARFORRES) HEADQUARTERS, NEW ORLEANS, LA. Candidates selected for this position will serve as an EDUCATION & CAREER SPECIALIST (LEAD).
This vacancy is also eligible for the following Employee Benefits
Major Duties
This role provides vital assistance to the Personal & Professional Development Manager in managing the Education Centers mission to deliver educational programs that improve active-duty Marine competence, support career progression, and elevate the caliber of education in the Marine Corps. Serving as an educational counselor, the incumbent delivers primary educational information and professional counseling to military personnel, their dependents, and other eligible civilians regarding academic and vocational opportunities. Through interviews, transcript reviews, and test interpretations, the counselor helps candidates establish realistic personal and professional goals spanning high school completion through doctorate degrees. The incumbent performs all standard duties associated with the Tuition Assistance (TA) program, Basic Skills Education Program, and Voluntary Education Program, which includes leading informational sessions on career planning and financial aid.
Additionally, the counselor assists personnel with selecting, enrolling, and completing requirements for the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) and Marine Corps Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (Marine Corps COOL). The counselor also guides officers and enlisted personnel applying for Marine Corps degree completion or commissioning programs, ensuring strict adherence to current Marine Corps Orders. On the financial side, the role determines TA eligibility, clarifies policies, processes registration forms, and guides students through Veterans Affairs benefits, grants, and scholarships. Resolving complicated TA issues requires direct coordination with academic institutions, NCMIS accounting technicians, and DFAS. The incumbent serves as a technical expert in resolving account discrepancies, meticulous in documenting all actions in NCMIS counseling notes and extracting statistical data for reporting.
Furthermore, the incumbent assists in preparing, editing, and submitting accurate data reports to Headquarters Marine Corps. In the absence of the Personal and Professional Development Manager, the counselor may assume full responsibility for the daily operations of the Education Center, including supervising and training personnel. The role coordinates programs with Marine Corps unit commands and maintains collaborative relationships with civilian educational institutions to promote military education initiatives. Dedicated to world-class customer service, the incumbent communicates positively, addresses inquiries efficiently, and quickly escalates unresolved problems to supervisors. Finally, the incumbent actively supports EEO principles, prevents sexual harassment, complies with OSHA safety standards, and performs other assigned white-collar duties, which may occasionally require lifting up to 20 lbs.
Qualifications
Bachelors Degree in education, counseling, or related field is required. Masters Degree is highly preferred. Must have a minimum of three years experience in, or related to, higher education and/or career planning, direct advisement of students, employment services, curriculum design, and/or instructing.
Knowledge of education principles and processes to help implement and administer educational programs and of the theories, principles, and techniques of education and training to provide educational advisement. Demonstrated ability to provide academic counseling to individuals from diverse backgrounds with a variety of educational goals. Knowledge of financial aid resources available to the military community. Ability to plan, organize, and facilitate workshops for both in classroom and online instruction and delivery. Able to conduct self-guided research to remain current and provide guidance on Marine Corps Orders, Department of Defense Directives, Veteran Affairs policies, college admission policies, educational guides and manuals, and education related military programs. Effective communication skills to assist in providing accurate information and assistance in a timely manner and to express oneself orally and in writing in a highly professional manner. Ability to compose written reports and materials clearly, concisely, and effectively, without error. Must be able to operate a personal computer, printer, etc., and have current knowledge in various office computer programs and software applications.
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted online via the MCCS Careers website: https://careers.usmc-mccs.org
STEP 1 - College Transcript(s) or Education Certificate(s), (REQUIRED IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY)
A degree from an accredited college/university may be used to qualify for this position, or in combination with experience, as noted in the minimum qualification section of this announcement. If using education to qualify, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s), indicating degree conferred, as an attachment to your profile under ¿My Job Applications¿ https://careers.usmc-mccs.org to be considered. Applications received without college transcripts (if using education) will be ineligible for consideration.
Selective Service Registration: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, government employment requires that you must register with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions. You must be able to show proof of registration or your exemption, as part of the required suitability background investigation.
NOTE:It is the applicants responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or submitted is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify applications, resumes, or answers submitted by any applicant. To check the status of your application or to return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your MCCS user account and review your application status.
STEP 2 - If prior military, upload a copy of your DD214 Member 4 Copy as an attachment to your profile under ¿My Job Applications¿ https://careers.usmc-mccs.org
All applications must be submitted online via the MCCS Careers website: https://careers.usmc-mccs.org
Resumes/applications emailed or mailed will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. To be considered for employment, the application or resume must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (CST) on the closing date of the announcement.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your MCCS user account and review your application status.
Closing Statement
GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, GINA, political affiliation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, physical handicap which has no bearing on the ability to perform the duties of the position. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
It is Department of Navy (DON) policy to provide a workplace free of discrimination and retaliation. The DON No Fear Act policy link is provided for your review: https://www.donhr.navy.mil/NoFearAct.asp.
As part of the employment process, Human Resources Division may obtain a Criminal Record Check and/or an Investigative Consumer Report. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI). For all positions requiring access to firearms or ammunition, the Federal Government is prohibited from employing individuals in these positions who have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or a felony crime of domestic violence adjudged on or after 27 November 2002. Selectees for such positions must submit a completed DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition, before a final job offer can be made.
Direct Deposit of total NET pay is mandatory as a condition of employment for all appointments to positions within MCCS.
Required Documents:
This activity is a Drug-free workplace. The use of illegal drugs by NAF employees, whether on or off duty, cannot and will not be tolerated. Federal employees have a right to a safe and secure workplace, and Marines, sailors, and their family members have a right to a reliable and productive Federal workforce.
Involuntarily separated members of the armed forces and eligible family members applying through the Transition Assistance Program must submit a written request/statement (may be obtained from the MCCS Human Resources Office) and present ID card with "TA" stamped in red on front of card.
ALL ONLINE APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST) ON THE CLOSING DATE LISTED IN THE JOB POSTING.